MORPHOLOGICAL AND MORPHOMETRIC CHANGES OF THE PANCREAS IN ACUTE CHOLEDOCHOLITHIASIS

Resume. Acute choledocholithiasis is a pathological condition characterized by obstruction of the common bile duct, leading to significant disturbances in biliary outflow and secondary involvement of adjacent organs, particularly the pancreas. Due to the close anatomical and functional relationship between the biliary tract and the pancreatic ductal system, acute obstruction may induce inflammatory and structural changes in pancreatic tissue. The present study aims to evaluate the morphological and morphometric alterations of the pancreas in patients with acute choledocholithiasis. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was applied, including patients with clinically and radiologically confirmed acute choledocholithiasis. Morphological assessment focused on identifying structural changes such as interstitial edema, inflammatory infiltration, and parenchymal heterogeneity. Morphometric analysis included quantitative measurements of pancreatic dimensions, ductal diameter, and tissue density obtained through imaging techniques. The results demonstrated that acute choledocholithiasis is associated with pronounced pancreatic enlargement, dilation of the pancreatic duct, and decreased tissue homogeneity. Morphometric indicators showed significant deviations from normal reference values, reflecting the severity of inflammatory processes and functional impairment of the pancreas. These findings highlight the importance of early radiological evaluation in detecting pancreatic involvement. In conclusion, acute choledocholithiasis leads to distinct and measurable morphological and morphometric changes in the pancreas. A comprehensive assessment combining qualitative and quantitative parameters is essential for accurate diagnosis, monitoring of disease progression, and optimization of clinical management strategies [1–3]. Keywords: Acute choledocholithiasis, pancreas, morphological changes, morphometric analysis, pancreatic duct, biliary obstruction, inflammation, pancreatic enlargement